Hedi Slimane Replaces Phoebe Philo at Céline

The designer, formerly of Saint Laurent, takes over February 1.

by Kerry Pieri

After stunning the fashion world with news of Phoebe Philo’s departure, Céline announced today that her replacement is Hedi Slimane. The former Saint Laurent creative director is taking the reigns beginning February 1 with the title artistic, creative and image director, with some addendums. According to BoF, Slimane will “expand the LVMH-owned label’s offering into menswear, couture and fragrance.” His first show will be for Spring 2019 in Paris in September.

“I am particularly happy that Hedi is back within the LVMH Group and taking the reins of our Céline maison,” LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault remarked in a press statement, “He is one of the most talented designers of our time. I have been a great admirer of his work since we collaborated on Dior Homme, which he launched to global critical acclaim in the 2000s. His arrival at Céline reinforces the great ambitions that LVMH has for this maison.”

Slimane helmed Dior Homme from 2000-2007 to great critical and financial success before launching his own men’s and women’s wear labels, while pursuing photography work. In 2012, Slimane took on the high profile position as creative director of YSL. While there he changed the brand’s name to Saint Laurent, lent a sometimes critically divisive rocker-chic aesthetic to the brand and more than doubled annual sales revenue to $787 million dollars in his first three years.

In March 2016, Slimane announced he was leaving Saint Laurent after his short tenure, with reports of issues with François Henri Pinault, chairman of the parent company of Yves Saint Laurent, Kering. He is now reunited with LVMH’s Sidney Toledano in his new role.

One thing is for sure, Slimane has some big, impressive, while-loved, furry shoes to fill at Philo’s Céline.